SF Giants have terrible first replay experience

Manager Bruce Bochy fell to 0-1 on replay challenges in an episode tonight that shows a downside to the whole process and could not have gone worse for the Giants.

They were leading 4-2 in the fifth when Matt Cain, already at 80 pitches, attempted a two-out pickoff throw to first base. A.J. Pollock was ruled safe. Twice in the game Bochy had emerged to argue a call but did not challenge, presumably because video reviewer Shawon Dunston advised against it.

This time, Bochy asked for replay. It took the umpires in New York 3 minutes to decide that Pollock indeed was safe. Meanwhile, Cain had to keep throwing warmup tosses so his arm wouldn’t rust.

On the first pitch post-replay, Gerardo Parra doubled Pollock to third. Buster Posey that let a pitch get past him. Posey quickly retrieved the ball and threw to Cain covering the plate. Cain slipped as he took the throw and jabbed at the runner with his glove.

Home-plate umprie Eric Cooper emphatically threw his arms out in the “safe” call and Cain was livid. Bochy emerged for the fourth time to argue, but having lost his challenge on the pickoff throw he had no recourse.

The Giants’ lead was trimmed to 4-3. Adding insult to injury, replays showed that Cain indeed tagged Pollock’s foot before the runner stepped on the plate.